The Fleet Report and Daily for Friday May 5th, 2023

[superoma]

@durangoscotshoping for a quorum for you tomorrow. It would be a shame to have to linger.

 

@ger_77i May watch some of the coronation live since we have company coming for supper and I need to get the Rouladen into my slow cooker early in the morning. I like the pageantry but am meh on the whole royalty thing. 
 

we are already at 20c (68f) just before noon. Should be lovely for Happy Hour in our sun trap by the side door. We have been promised a few nice days and I keep trying to send the warmth to @kazu

 

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

As I mentioned earlier, we were in Rio on February 17 and 18, 2015, on Ruby Princess.  I'll divide my pictures into two posts by days.

 

On February 17, we took a tour to Petropolis, named after Pedro II, the last Emperor of Brazil, and where Pedro II built his summer palace.  The town is about 42 miles northeast of Rio in the mountains.

 

A few scenes from Petropolis.   The large white building may have been a grand palace or house, but is now a hotel.

 

 

 

Our first stop was lunch at a restaurant that served many varies of meat that was sliced at the table.  There was also a salad bar, so we had more food than we could possibly eat, but it was all good.  I normally don't like to show pictures of people I don't know, but the one of the server slicing the meat is the only one I have like that, and it can't be cropped and still show the server and the meat.

 

 

 

The next stop was the former summer palace.  We got to tour inside, but couldn't take pictures.  To protect the floors, we had to wear some type of shoe covering that would not stay on and was very slick on the floors.  We wound up sliding our feet around the palace.  At least, we could take the covering off to climb the stairs and to come back down.

 

The entrance to the palace grounds and the outside of the palace.

 

 

 

One of the residents of the palace's extensive gardens and grounds.

 

 

Our last stop was the Catedral Sao Pedro de Alcantara.  Pedro II and is family are entombed in the cathedral.

 

 

 

 

Rio at night from the ship.

 

 

I'll be back with pictures from our second day in a little while.

 

Lenda

 

[kazu]

1 hour ago, ger_77 said:

I'm okay with Charles being king, but can't reconcile Camilla being queen.  I still harbor resentment for the two of them and how Charles treated Diana.  I've probably opened a can of worms here, but that's how I feel. 

 

No can of worms for me - I feel the same way except I wish Queen Elizabeth had convinced Charles not to take the throne and it had passed straight to William.  Under the old rules a monarch could not marry a divorced woman or must abdicate.  Very applicable to Charles and Camilla.

 

 

7 minutes ago, superoma said:

we are already at 20c (68f) just before noon. Should be lovely for Happy Hour in our sun trap by the side door. We have been promised a few nice days and I keep trying to send the warmth to @kazu

 

 

Thanks - we need it - the sooner the better.  Ivan would like the begonias out of the way LOL.

[highscar]

@kazu  agree.  I still have the scrap books I started in 1949.  I add to them once in a while.  

[lindaler]

Good morning all. It seems that I read all the pages and then get called away before I post. I am here every day reading, but before I can comment I just get busy.  Compared to most of you I don't get much done but I try. I have been kayaking, tried yoga but failed to be able to bend my old body to do it, and I'm writing my script to do a history tour of Mobile. I think I have the talk down, just need to find the right route for the tour to take. Have a great weekend everyone. 

Edited May 5, 2023 by lindaler

[XBGuy]

5 hours ago, aliaschief said:

 

 

 

 

USS Titanic?

 

I'm sorry.  That is incorrect.  The correct answer is RMS Titanic.

 

Thank you for playing our game, and we hope you enjoy your lovely parting gift.

[smitty34877]

@grapau27,Graham and Pauline, I love the table settings and decorations. What is on your menu?

I was thinking if making the coronation chicken salad recipe I found in the NYT and perhaps a quiche.Scones?Tea?Any suggestions  welcome.We figured we were always up at five so we might as well have a party!

[grapau27]

25 minutes ago, smitty34877 said:

@grapau27,Graham and Pauline, I love the table settings and decorations. What is on your menu?

I was thinking if making the coronation chicken salad recipe I found in the NYT and perhaps a quiche.Scones?Tea?Any suggestions  welcome.We figured we were always up at five so we might as well have a party!

Thank you Terry.

We are having.

1 Chicken in a white wine sauce vol au vons.

2 Smoked salmon with prawns salad rosemary sauce and freshly baked crusty bread.

3 Beef Lasagna with salad and honey and mustard dressing served with seasoned potato wedges.

4 Raspberry sponge pudding with custard.

5 Cheese and crackers and grapes with onion chutney.

Bottle of Italian Chianti wine for Sarah.

Bottle of Marlborough Sauvignon blanc for Pauline and me.

 

 

Edited May 5, 2023 by grapau27

[bennybear]

Good morning and thank all!  Ooh @cat shepard that wine, I’d love a taste! 
A great quote!   Thanks for the great photos of Rio, it’s on my list! 
Cinquo de mayo is also the anniversary of DH’s retirement, time has flown!

 

@ger_77 how exciting for your family! I’m envious, we now have direct nonstop flights, but is is a long way! Hopefully the little one will sleep part of it.  They’ll have a blast!
I agree with you about the coronation.  For me, I had utmost respect for the late queen,  she will be my last.  I think the time has come to move away from the monarchy here, although I have a lot of respect for our Governor General, Mary Simon.  I did like that the king met with indigenous leaders yesterday.  I too will likely watch highlights.  
 

@Nickelpenny congratulations! Now a new chapter begins! 
@kazuhugs today! 
 

Slowly spring beckons! 
 

Edited May 5, 2023 by bennybear

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

1 hour ago, Nickelpenny said:

My last official work day is May 26th and "retirement day" (on my submitted paperwork) is May 27th!!  You can't imagine how excited I am!!

 

It won't be long now!

 

1 hour ago, durangoscots said:

Good morning. I am early today as Monty decided he needed an early morning walk (he did and evidently was rather desperate). At least he told me about it. And it was chilly... only 29F when we went out. High today is forecast at 55. Maybe the cooler temps will reduce the pollen.... my allergies are really kicking up.

 

Have been to Rio a number of times and once was at Carnival. I saw some of the floats during the day but it poured while we were there - especially at night. While many people went to see the parade, I stayed on the ship (Princendam) where we had entertainers brought on. As I watched the rain fall, I was so glad I was inside and warm and dry. I was probably showing my age and that was a few years ago.

 

Off to work on what I am going to say tomorrow at the Annual Meeting for the Humane Society. Not much. I want to the meeting to be short and over. Another retiring board member and I are headed out for a celebratory lunch immediately after. I just hope we have a quorum..... would hate to see me lingering on. But there is a lot going on in town tomorrow. I remember in the past when we did not have a quorum and I was calling friends to see if I could round up a few more members. Not fun.

 

Susan

 

 

Susan, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you will have a quorum for the meeting and that it will be short and sweet.  🤞

 

24 minutes ago, lindaler said:

Good morning all. It seems that I read all the pages and then get called away before I post. I am here every day reading, but before I can comment I just get busy.  Compared to most of you I don't get much done but I try. I have been kayaking, tried yoga but failed to be able to bend my old body to do it, and I'm writing my script to do a history tour of Mobile. I think I have the talk down, just need to find the right route for the tour to take. Have a great weekend everyone. 

 

Linda, that sounds like quite an undertaking.  It should be an interesting experience.

 

The second day we were in Rio, we took a tour to see the Christ the Redeemer.  The tour also included riding the tram up and back down, and a stop at Copacabana Beach.

 

Not only were there crowds looking at the statue, but there were crowds waiting to board the trams.  While we waited, we had a chance to tour their workshop and displays.

 

 

 

 

A vintage tram car

 

Scenes on the way up the mountain.

 

 

 

Christ the Redeemer with most of the crowd on the stairs omitted.

 

We also had a cloudy day.  Rio looking down from the mountain.

 

 

Looking up as we descended the mountain

 

The area outside the tram station as we waited for our bus.

 

Copacabana Beach on a windy day.

 

 

 

That afternoon, we took the H. Stern shuttle into town, and walked around the area a little.  We stopped in a grocery store to pick up something, and wound up talking to a nice lady in line.  She even guided us to the senior line so we'd get the senior discount.  In the entrance to H. Stern we saw this display of Carnival costumes.

 

We also saw some of the floats from various parades parked along the streets near the dock, but we were unable to get pictures from the bus.

 

Lenda

 

[grapau27]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

As I mentioned earlier, we were in Rio on February 17 and 18, 2015, on Ruby Princess.  I'll divide my pictures into two posts by days.

 

On February 17, we took a tour to Petropolis, named after Pedro II, the last Emperor of Brazil, and where Pedro II built his summer palace.  The town is about 42 miles northeast of Rio in the mountains.

 

A few scenes from Petropolis.   The large white building may have been a grand palace or house, but is now a hotel.

 

 

 

Our first stop was lunch at a restaurant that served many varies of meat that was sliced at the table.  There was also a salad bar, so we had more food than we could possibly eat, but it was all good.  I normally don't like to show pictures of people I don't know, but the one of the server slicing the meat is the only one I have like that, and it can't be cropped and still show the server and the meat.

 

 

 

The next stop was the former summer palace.  We got to tour inside, but couldn't take pictures.  To protect the floors, we had to wear some type of shoe covering that would not stay on and was very slick on the floors.  We wound up sliding our feet around the palace.  At least, we could take the covering off to climb the stairs and to come back down.

 

The entrance to the palace grounds and the outside of the palace.

 

 

 

One of the residents of the palace's extensive gardens and grounds.

 

 

Our last stop was the Catedral Sao Pedro de Alcantara.  Pedro II and is family are entombed in the cathedral.

 

 

 

 

Rio at night from the ship.

 

 

I'll be back with pictures from our second day in a little while.

 

Lenda

 

Excellent photos as always Lenda.

[smitty34877]

@grapau27, Thank you Graham.I will consult with my crew.It sounds like a delicious  meal.Enjoy!

[grapau27]

[kochleffel]

Graham, that's what I thought! I've also read that the Houses of Commons and Lords would probably have accepted his marriage to Mrs. Simpson, but there was greater opposition from other Commonwealth countries.

[aliaschief]

1 hour ago, XBGuy said:

 

USS Titanic?

 

I'm sorry.  That is incorrect.  The correct answer is RMS Titanic.

 

Thank you for playing our game, and we hope you enjoy your lovely parting gift.

I’ll claim a Will Rodgers quote. “ I only know what I read in the newspaper!” Which wouldn’t hold up in this day and time.😁

[StLouisCruisers]

1 hour ago, Quartzsite Cruiser said:

 

It won't be long now!

 

 

Susan, I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you will have a quorum for the meeting and that it will be short and sweet.  🤞

 

 

Linda, that sounds like quite an undertaking.  It should be an interesting experience.

 

The second day we were in Rio, we took a tour to see the Christ the Redeemer.  The tour also included riding the tram up and back down, and a stop at Copacabana Beach.

 

Not only were there crowds looking at the statue, but there were crowds waiting to board the trams.  While we waited, we had a chance to tour their workshop and displays.

 

 

 

 

A vintage tram car

 

Scenes on the way up the mountain.

 

 

 

Christ the Redeemer with most of the crowd on the stairs omitted.

 

We also had a cloudy day.  Rio looking down from the mountain.

 

 

Looking up as we descended the mountain

 

The area outside the tram station as we waited for our bus.

 

Copacabana Beach on a windy day.

 

 

 

That afternoon, we took the H. Stern shuttle into town, and walked around the area a little.  We stopped in a grocery store to pick up something, and wound up talking to a nice lady in line.  She even guided us to the senior line so we'd get the senior discount.  In the entrance to H. Stern we saw this display of Carnival costumes.

 

We also saw some of the floats from various parades parked along the streets near the dock, but we were unable to get pictures from the bus.

 

Lenda

 

 

Lenda I see myself and DH's hat in your photo taken of Christ the Redeemer.  I'm at the bottom of the steps wearing the fuschia shirt and DH has the Tilley hat on in front of me.  Do you see yourself in my photos?

 

Your photo:

 

 

We had a good visit with our dentist.  He checked us both out and saw nothing that needed work right now and he will take a wait and see attitude on certain teeth.  We feel like we're in good hands again.  Then we had lunch at the Mexican restaurant nearby ( even though DH says our own home cooked Mexican dishes are so much better).  I have to agree we enjoy our own cooking more than some restaurants.  Then we picked up a few groceries.   Unfortunately the showers we were expecting around 5 pm turned into rain 10 minutes after we left home this morning.  It rained the whole time which makes being out and about a real pain.  We had 4 days of complete sunshine this week and of course the rain comes when we have an appointment.  Next appointment is on the 16th so that will definitely be a wet day!  Count on it!

[cruising sister]

Good evening from Barcelona,

I had a full day of walking ending with a tour in the Gothic region with 4 members of  our roll call. It was nice to meet them and  I hope to see them on the ship. I had my requisite hot chocolate and churros today so I am set.  I board tomorrow and I am excited to see the ship.

 

Prayers and well wishes for all.

[kazu]

29 minutes ago, cruising sister said:

Good evening from Barcelona,

I had a full day of walking ending with a tour in the Gothic region with 4 members of  our roll call. It was nice to meet them and  I hope to see them on the ship. I had my requisite hot chocolate and churros today so I am set.  I board tomorrow and I am excited to see the ship.

 

Prayers and well wishes for all.

 

It sounds like everything is going very well for you and you are enjoying yourself overall (I know there are sad moments ♥️).  I am so happy to hear it. 🙂 

[RMLincoln]

Busy morning, finally getting to read the Daily. Thank you to all here!  
 

No internet this morning!  Rare event here but I guess it happens. Then hours dealing with finding out about a home device to measure eye pressure for DH, especially while he’s taking fewer glaucoma meds. His ophthalmologist would like us to monitor so we can see trends and not get damaging pressure spikes. This is all NOT as straightforward as one might think but maybe we’re making progress.  The details would take pages, and I’m sure most of you have your own versions of these run-arounds that you’ve come through, which gives me hope!  
 

Blessings to @Vict0riannand Pat; also Mary Kay; and lots of happy cheers to Carol @mamaofami!  
And blessings to all in need!  
 

Cheers to those celebrating and on cruises. 🍹

 

I invited my old (meaning long time) NM friend who lives near me to come over for Cinco de Mayo tonight. She’s had a lot on her plate, and I thought she could use some pampering. She agreed!  So I’m cooking …. First was tres leches cake, next marinated shredded chicken for quesadillas, shrimp tacos, homemade salsa and now for mixing up some rum drinks (sorry no margarita-makings and I’m not running out to the store, we’ll enjoy what’s on hand!). We’re not exactly celebrating the Battle of Puebla as much as we are celebrating that Life is Good!  👍
 

We do have the recorder set to capture the ceremonies of tomorrow. 👑. Curiosity I guess. I’m certainly not in a position to say what another country should or shouldn’t do, heck, I live in the USA and we’re a mess!  But DH and I are too old and too augured in to emigrate. Not sure either Canada or Australia or New Zealand would want us, and rightfully so, they have their own to take very good care of!  
 

Adelante!  Onward… m—

[rafinmd]

Today's sunrise is from my 2019 Nieuw Statendam transatlantic.  On May 5 I disembarked in Amsterdam:

 

 

Roy

[grapau27]

Good evening.

Pauline, Sarah and myself enjoyed tonight's meal and are sitting chatting.

Most of the UK love the Pomp and pageantry of the Royal family and we are looking forward to the coronation tomorrow.

[grapau27]

Pauline, Sarah and I were just chatting about when Pauline and I were at her majesty Queen Elizabeth garden party at Buckingham palace.

We are very proud to be Royalists 

[kochleffel]

19 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Pauline, Sarah and myself enjoyed tonight's meal and are sitting chatting.

Most of the UK love the Pomp and pageantry of the Royal family and we are looking forward to the coronation tomorrow.

 

Many on this side of the pond love the pageantry, too, even if we aren't going to pledge loyalty to the Crown.

 

I noticed that your menu didn't include the coronation quiche. Several food writers have said that the recipe wouldn't work, and one over here has published an adaptation that she says does work:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2023/05/02/coronation-quiche-spinach-eggs/.

[Quartzsite Cruiser]

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

Excellent photos as always Lenda.

 

Thank you, Graham.

 

2 hours ago, grapau27 said:

 

I always read that the marriage would cause a constitutional crisis, or something to that affect.

 

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

 

Lenda I see myself and DH's hat in your photo taken of Christ the Redeemer.  I'm at the bottom of the steps wearing the fuschia shirt and DH has the Tilley hat on in front of me.  Do you see yourself in my photos?

 

Your photo:

 

 

We had a good visit with our dentist.  He checked us both out and saw nothing that needed work right now and he will take a wait and see attitude on certain teeth.  We feel like we're in good hands again.  Then we had lunch at the Mexican restaurant nearby ( even though DH says our own home cooked Mexican dishes are so much better).  I have to agree we enjoy our own cooking more than some restaurants.  Then we picked up a few groceries.   Unfortunately the showers we were expecting around 5 pm turned into rain 10 minutes after we left home this morning.  It rained the whole time which makes being out and about a real pain.  We had 4 days of complete sunshine this week and of course the rain comes when we have an appointment.  Next appointment is on the 16th so that will definitely be a wet day!  Count on it!

 

Sandi, I'm glad you had a good outcome at the dentist to day.  That is really weird that I got the picture of the two of you.  I did not see us in your pictures.  I also looked through the rest of the pictures from that day, and found two more of you coming down the steps from the statue.  Your shirt was easy to spot. 😉 I did not find any of you in any pictures from other stops, so we must have been on different buses.

 

 

18 minutes ago, RMLincoln said:

Busy morning, finally getting to read the Daily. Thank you to all here!  
 

No internet this morning!  Rare event here but I guess it happens. Then hours dealing with finding out about a home device to measure eye pressure for DH, especially while he’s taking fewer glaucoma meds. His ophthalmologist would like us to monitor so we can see trends and not get damaging pressure spikes. This is all NOT as straightforward as one might think but maybe we’re making progress.  The details would take pages, and I’m sure most of you have your own versions of these run-arounds that you’ve come through, which gives me hope!  
 

Blessings to @Vict0riannand Pat; also Mary Kay; and lots of happy cheers to Carol @mamaofami!  
And blessings to all in need!  
 

Cheers to those celebrating and on cruises. 🍹

 

I invited my old (meaning long time) NM friend who lives near me to come over for Cinco de Mayo tonight. She’s had a lot on her plate, and I thought she could use some pampering. She agreed!  So I’m cooking …. First was tres leches cake, next marinated shredded chicken for quesadillas, shrimp tacos, homemade salsa and now for mixing up some rum drinks (sorry no margarita-makings and I’m not running out to the store, we’ll enjoy what’s on hand!). We’re not exactly celebrating the Battle of Puebla as much as we are celebrating that Life is Good!  👍
 

We do have the recorder set to capture the ceremonies of tomorrow. 👑. Curiosity I guess. I’m certainly not in a position to say what another country should or shouldn’t do, heck, I live in the USA and we’re a mess!  But DH and I are too old and too augured in to emigrate. Not sure either Canada or Australia or New Zealand would want us, and rightfully so, they have their own to take very good care of!  
 

Adelante!  Onward… m—

 

Maureen, I hope you have a great visit and dinner with your friend.  Navigating the medical system in any form is not for the faint of heart.  Good luck.

 

 

12 minutes ago, grapau27 said:

Pauline, Sarah and I were just chatting about when Pauline and I were at her majesty Queen Elizabeth garden party at Buckingham palace.

We are very proud to be Royalists 

 

Great picture of you and Pauline.  It must have been an honor and a memorable day.

 

1 hour ago, cruising sister said:

Good evening from Barcelona,

I had a full day of walking ending with a tour in the Gothic region with 4 members of  our roll call. It was nice to meet them and  I hope to see them on the ship. I had my requisite hot chocolate and churros today so I am set.  I board tomorrow and I am excited to see the ship.

 

Prayers and well wishes for all.

 

Lorraine, I'm glad you had a good day touring Barcelona, and that you got your requisite hot chocolate and churros.  It's nice to meet others from CC and put names with faces.

 

This afternoon we took the car to the alternator shop to have it checked.  The guy said he didn't see a problem with it or the battery.  He added it could be something else that might cost more than the 28 year old car is worth to fix.  He added if the problem gets worse, to bring it back and he'll try to trouble shoot it.  The nice part was he did not charge us for the visit. 

 

It is 92F now, and even with the breeze it is warm.  This is more summer weather.  What happened to spring?

 

Lenda

[grapau27]

Lenda @Quartzsite Cruiser.